BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Alabama Crown Distributing Co., a distributor of liquor, wine, beer and other beverages, is building a $16 million facility in Alabaster that will employ 70 people.

Operations are expected to begin in August at the 175,000-square-foot building at Shelby West Corporate Park, which is near the Shelby County Airport.

Alabama Crown is a part of McDonough, Ga.-based Georgia Crown Distributing Co. The company has a facility in Birmingham, and some of the jobs there are being relocated to the new facility in Alabaster, said James Dedes, executive director of the Shelby County Economic and Industrial Development Authority.

Dedes and Julian Vann, corporate vice president of operations for Georgia Crown, gave an update on the project at this morning's Shelby County Commission meeting.

Vann said the company purchased the site at Shelby West Corporate Park several years ago, but the economic downturn created a delay in securing financing for the project.

The company has had a longtime presence in the state, and the new facility will be an important hub to help serve the North Alabama market, Vann added.

Alabama Crown is receiving $1.2 million in state and local tax abatements over seven years. The Alabaster Industrial Development Board approved the incentives.